malaria

ma-lar-i-a · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A serious and sometimes fatal infectious disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, characterized by recurring episodes of fever, chills, and sweating.

  2. 2.

    (Historical) Any fever thought to be caused by bad air or swampy conditions.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    malaria prevention — measures taken to avoid contracting the disease
  • •
    antimalarial — medication used to prevent or treat malaria
  • •
    malaria-free — areas without risk of malaria transmission

Related words

See also: fever, mosquito, parasite, tropical
Synonyms: ague, marsh fever

Etymology

From Italian mala aria ("bad air"), from mala ("bad") + aria ("air"). The disease was originally thought to be caused by the foul air of swampy areas before the mosquito transmission was discovered in the late 19th century.